Help and Advice
To make this time easier for you, we have listed some useful information.
Advice for When Someone Dies
It is very helpful to know what to do first when someone dies. Being prepared and knowing what needs to be done can relieve you from further stress when a loved one dies. It is important to act quickly so the process is not delayed. The following guide will explain what happens when a death occurs at home, hospital or in a Nursing home.
What If A Person Dies at Home?
If your loved one dies at home, you will need to first call your GP or a qualified doctor to certify the death. You will need to call the emergency services if the death occurs out of hours. After the death has been verified, you can contact us. If you are uncertain, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to offer advice.
What If A Person Dies in Hospital?
If a person dies in hospital, they will assist you with the necessary paperwork. You can contact us for our services, however this may be the next working day. Once you contact us, we can transport the deceased to our funeral home.
If the Death Was Unexpected
You will need to call the emergency services immediately if an unexpected death occurs. The cause of death will need to be established and confirmed. You can contact us for our services and we will liaise with the authorities, but this can be the next working day.
How To Register A Death
According to UK law, under normal circumstances a death must be registered within 5 working days at the registry office in the district where the person died. If the person dies in Scotland, the death will need to be registered within 8 days.
At the registry office, the registrar will register the death and issue a green form. This is a certificate that authorises the burial or cremation of the deceased. When you are in possession of this form, you must pass this onto us so we can finalise all the arrangements.
What Happens When A Coroner Becomes Involved
When the cause of death cannot immediately be established, a coroner will become involved. We will liaise with them on your behalf, and the coroner will organise the registration of death.
Local Registry Offices
Clevedon – Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon, BS21 6FW Tel: 01823 282251
Weston-Super-Mare – Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1UJ Tel: 01823 282251
Bristol – The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JG Tel: 0117 9222800
Bristol (Southmead) – Southmead Hospital, Brunel Building, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB Tel: 0117 9222800
Who Do You Need to Inform?
When a person dies, you must inform the relevant parties as soon as possible. To avoid the distress of having to inform many different departments, the government offers a ‘Tell Us Once’ service. Your registrar can explain the process. Other parties to inform include:
- Friends and family.
- Their employer.
- The solicitor of the deceased.
- Relevant local support services.
- Inland Revenue.
- Any banks or building societies that held accounts for the deceased.
- Any insurance companies the deceased had policies with.
- Facility companies such as gas, electricity, water and telephone.
- Royal Mail to arrange mail redirection.